February is the month known for teddy bears, boxes of chocolate, and pink and red explosions. But for those in a violent or abusive relationship, it can be another harsh reminder of feeling boxed in, beat up, or the red marks that remain. We want to take this month to not only answer your questions about domestic violence but also share where help can be found in our community.
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence, sometimes called battering, relationship abuse, or intimate partner violence, is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence.
What are the signs of domestic violence?
Domestic violence can include physical abuse, emotional abuse, economic abuse, and sexual abuse. Sexual abuse batterers use threats, intimidation, isolation, and other behaviors to maintain power over their victims.
Answering yes to any of these questions could be a sure sign of an unhealthy relationship:
Are you in an abusive relationship? Are you in danger? Are you afraid of your partner? Does your partner threaten to hurt you? Does your partner control all the money? Has your partner ever pushed you, shoved you, thrown things at you, or forced you to have sex? Does your partner stalk you and show up uninvited at your job or when you’re out with friends?
What is the domestic violence hotline?
OneEighty Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault: 1-800-686-1122
What can I do if I am in this type of relationship? What can I do to help someone in this type of relationship?
OneEighty is the primary service provider in the area for individuals and families affected by domestic violence, abuse and sexual assault, with a domestic violence shelter in Wooster and victim advocacy services available for those living in Wayne County and Holmes County, Ohio.
OneEighty offers a temporary emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence and their children. Their domestic violence shelter offers comprehensive recovery services including case management, domestic abuse counseling, educational classes, housing assistance, life skills, and parenting courses.
OneEighty’s victim advocacy services are designed to help victims of domestic violence, stalking and/or sexual assault safely leave an abusive relationship, stay safely in a relationship, or explore other options. These domestic violence services include: assistance with protection orders, court accompaniment, legal referrals, hospital advocacy, safety planning, civil stand-by orders and general information and referrals.
If this environment sounds like yours, feelings of hopelessness, desperation, confusion and isolation are common. You may not want to tell people about your situation because you feel afraid, ashamed, or embarrassed. You are NOT alone, and you can get help.
Wayne/Holmes Mental Health & Recovery Board
We aim to improve awareness of and access to mental health and addiction treatment and prevention services in Wayne & Holmes Counties.
We provide leadership, support, and funding to community partners and agencies in the delivery of mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
Our agencies provide addiction treatment programs, mental health counseling, suicide prevention programming, and more! Experience you can trust.